Photo of Rutland, Vermont (image credit: https://www.mtgreen.com/killington-vermont-area-photo-gallery/)
Sustainable Brownfield Redevelopment in Vermont
Virtual Workshop: Brownfield Redevelopment in Vermont
Workshop Coordinator: James D. Snook
Date: October 8, 2020
This virtual webinar provided an overview of sustainable Brownfield Redevelopment in Vermont, including a panel discussion with experts, moderated by James Snook.
Non-profit Organization Host: The Brownfield Coalition of the Northeast (BCONE) hosted this free webinar as a 501c3 non-profit organization. As per its website, “BCONE’s mission is to provide a platform for exchange of ideas/best practices on the benefits of brownfield remediation, resilience and sustainable redevelopment, as well as to work with public, private and regulatory stakeholders to facilitate economic activity and growth”.
Speakers:
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James Byrne, Brownfield Coordinator in USEPA Region 1’s Cleanup Grant Program
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Kristi Herzer and Kim Caldwell of the State of Vermont Dept. of Env. Conservation (DEC)
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Kevin Geiger, Senior Planner of the Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission (TRORC)
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Colette Santasieri, Executive Director at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT)
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James D. Snook, PG, LSRP of Snook Solutions
USEPA Region 1:
James Byrne provided a short presentation of USEPA Region 1’s Brownfield program, with a focus on case studies in Vermont. Jim spoke about the City Market site in Burlington and the Richmond Creamery in Richmond, Vermont. Jim also spoke about federal liability issues, federal funding, opportunity zones in Vermont, and USEPA grant competitions.
State of Vermont Dept. of Env. Conservation (DEC):
Kristi Herzer and Kim Caldwell presented Vermont’s Brownfield program, state liability scheme, and funding options. They discussed the BRELLA program in detail, which provides protection from liability in Vermont in the form of a Certificate of Completion (COC). They also discussed a regulatory pathway for sites not in the BRELLA program, thereby receiving a Sites Management Activity Completed letter (SMAC) upon the completion of a corrective action plan (CAP) and submittal of CAP report.
Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission (TRORC):
Kevin Geiger provided a short presentation of the TRORC’s Brownfield Assessment Program, including a list of the grants and assessments completed from 2001 to date. Kevin explained the methodology of guiding a Brownfield site through Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3.
NJIT Technical Assistance Brownfields (TAB) program:
Colette Santasieri of NJIT’s TAB program provided information regarding free resources that are available to assist Brownfield redevelopment in Vermont. She explained that assistance is provided through NJIT’s resource center, educational forums, and one-on-one technical assistance.
Non-profit Sponsor: Stephen Knollmeyer and Ralph Koscis of Alpha Analytical provided an introduction to their lab, which services New England and the northeast. Alpha’s website is located at www.alphalab.com
A promotional video is located at: https://alphalab.wistia.com/medias/3thak6wf04
Author: Webinar summary provided by James D. Snook
